Listening: Introductory Concepts

Selection: Pomp and Circumstance March No.1
Composer: Edward Elgar (1857 - 1934)
This listening selection can be found in the lesson on "Can Music Have a Specific Purpose". The title of this piece comes from a line in Shakespeare's Othello ("Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war!"), in 1901. This outwardly straightforward music is known as Elgar's most famous piece, as it is often played at graduation ceremonies. But it was not originally intended for graduations. Elgar's march was used for the coronation of King Edward VII
The tune sounds triumphant, bringing to life feelings of…